After losing his wife in 2014, a Wisconsin farmer planted 4.5 miles of sunflowers; their seeds later helped raise money for cancer research

After losing his wife, Babbette, in 2014, Wisconsin farmer Don Jaquish turned a dream they had shared into one of the region's most memorable living memorials. Babbette had loved sunflowers and had imagined planting them along Wisconsin Highway 85 so that motorists could enjoy the bright yellow flowers. At the same time, the harvested seeds could eventually help people affected by cancer. Her idea became especially meaningful after she was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2006. Over the following years, she underwent treatments and clinical trials while continuing to support the idea of using sunflowers to raise money for cancer-related causes. She died in 2014, leaving Don to decide what could be done with the dream they had discussed together.

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